The Gardens: This nondescript bar with the depressing décor, unplugged jukebox, and ironic name is the ultimate dive—but not a remotely cool or interesting one. Street light, filtering through lowered blinds in the front, illuminates the ugly tiled floor and, unfortunately, the wasted guy asleep on the bar. The harshly lit pool table will get more action than he will, unless the sparse crowd is too captivated by the droning TV to move or care. The big back patio offers some respite from the stale, smoky air, but it’s hardly enough of a saving grace. The biggest insult? Drinks are super-strong but inappropriately expensive, like $7 Jack and Cokes and $4 Budweisers. Maybe the big jugs of wine are cheaper, or maybe you just ought to go elsewhere. |
